8mm Forum: Minolta XL-400 remote control

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Posted by Tim Wisniewski (Member # 7106) on September 19, 2019, 10:00 AM:

Hello, all.

I'm hoping to find a remote control/shutter release cable for my Minolta XL-400. I'm having the hardest time finding one of these things! Does anyone know if these are somewhat universal? Would any other models for other still cameras for example be interchangeable?

Thanks,
Tim

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on September 19, 2019, 10:21 AM:

If it's like the XL-401 (-and it should be...They are basically the same nut in a different shell!) it's a little bit unorthodox!

Most movie cameras have a standard-issue photographic cable release, but these use an electrical control.

If a regular cable release will not thread in, try to plug in a 3.5mm plug. (-like a set of headphones.)

If that's it, the remote control is active when Tip and Shield are shorted together.

My remote is a 3.5mm monaural plug, some small gauge wire twisted together and a cheap switch.

Posted by Tim Wisniewski (Member # 7106) on September 19, 2019, 10:33 AM:

Thanks, Steve! This is definitely an electrical cable, not a standard mechanical shutter release, but the input is a bit smaller than a 3.5mm jack (I tried plugging in a 3.5mm mono audio plug, too big).

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on September 19, 2019, 10:41 AM:

Interesting!

Maybe Minolta went to a conventional phono plug on XL-401 and XL-601 as kind of analog-era "user friendliness".

There are 2.5mm audio plugs: never seen one myself, but they do exist. (-maybe one of these?)

If our theory is a good one, you should be able to strip some copper wire of about the hole diameter, place it in the jack and make the camera either run or click off a frame (depending on the settings).

Posted by Tim Wisniewski (Member # 7106) on September 19, 2019, 11:41 AM:

Thanks! I'll try the 2.5. I guess I'd need a momentary switch as opposed to an on/off switch, right?

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on September 19, 2019, 11:55 AM:

I used an on/off, because that's what I had in my junk drawer.

-all other things being equal, a push-button would be the better choice.

Are you doing animation? These cameras would be great for that.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on September 19, 2019, 12:08 PM:

Tim
Here is a 2.5mm mono plug which will probably fit the socket. You can easily make up a lead with some form of switch on the end.
These plugs are often used for headphones.
https://www.ebay.com /itm/New-2-5mm-2-Pole-Mono-Audio-Male-Plug-Jack-Adaptor-Connector-Solde-Repair-DIY/254031914729?hash=item3b257b66e9:g:ZkEAAOSw29JcEzc~

Posted by Tim Wisniewski (Member # 7106) on September 19, 2019, 01:18 PM:

Thanks, Maurice. I'm going to buy one of these 2.5mm plugs, a momentary N.O. push-button switch, and a few feet of cable. Hoping that'll do the trick! And yes, Steve, doing some single frame "animation" and hoping to avoid camera shake!

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